Let's Adventure to Mindoro!

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has provided almost P195,000 to local government units (LGUs) affected by landslide in Occidental Mindoro last August 4.

DSWD Secretary Corazon Soliman said the agency released P194,817 relief assistance to the affected municipalities of Calintaan, Looc, Magsaysay, Mamburao, Sablayan and San Jose in Occidental Mindoro.

As of August 7, the number of affected families was 5,262 or 26,310 individuals from 40 barangays in these six towns.

In Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro, the DSWD provided some 633 food packs worth P165,735, while in Mamburao, some 10 boxes of sardines and 15 boxes of corned beef worth P29,081 were provided.

Soliman said three evacuation centers were opened providing temporary shelter to some 675 families with 3,375 persons from the municipalities of Sablayan and Looc.

“The DSWD is also continuously providing relief aid to some 2,386 family-victims with 11,930 persons outside the evacuation centers,” she added.

Meanwhile, seven houses in Looc, Occidental Mindoro were partially damaged.

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Mayor
1 ALFARO, Peter D. 4,195
2 VILLAROSA, Voltaire A C. 6,070

Vice-Mayor
1 TADEJA, Donald D. 4,699
2 TRIA, Angelina F. 5,356

MEMBER, SANGGUNIANG BAYAN of OCCIDENTAL MINDORO - MAMBURAO - LONE DIST
1 ABELEDA, Emmanuel Sr. T. 2,361
2 ALASTRE, Alberto D. 4,196
3 ALMERO, Cesar B. 646
4 ALMERO, Leonard M. 2,053
5 AMORADO, Jefferson R. 2,994
6 ATIENZA, Donato B. 882
7 CAJAYON, Emmanuel D. 159
8 CALABIO, Ma. Dolores F. 3,913
9 CASCALLA, Silverio P. 3,756
10 CASTIGADOR, Ariel D. 3,433
11 COSUCO, Manuelino R. 3,649
12 DELA VIÑA, Arvin Lloyd E. 447
13 GARILLO, Geoffrey G. 502
14 GENOSA, Faustino G. 1,979
15 GUTIERREZ, Guillermo M. 1,046
16 HERMOSILLA, Socrates T. 2,801
17 LIWANAG, Ernesto D. 2,191
18 MANEJA, Eduardo Jr S. 3,620
19 MASANGKAY, Raul V. 4,720
20 OLFATO, Emmanuel A. 3,955
21 RAMOS, Aristotle G. 3,044
22 RECAIDO, Dulce M. 4,813
23 TAJONERA, Linda R. 3,510
24 TAMAYO, Gerardo S. 3,184
25 VILLAR, Asuncion C. 4,421

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A breaking news has been spreading in the entire Philippines that a 6.0 magnitude earthquake hit the northwestern place of the archipelago early Thursday afternoon.

The quake struck the Mindoro region at exactly 01:29:30 PM at epicenter which is located 86 miles (139 km) from the capital, Manila, and was about 72 kilometers (45 miles) deep. This according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

As of the moment, there were no casualties reported yet. If you are in the Philippines and was able to feel the shake this afternoon, please report any casualties if there is any. Please stay tune for updates



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A mild predawn magnitude-3.8 quake rocked parts of Mindoro Island in southern Luzon Monday, but state seismologists said there was no damage expected.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the quake was recorded at 5:30 a.m., with the epicenter 87 km northwest of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro.

It said the quake was tectonic and was felt at Intensity II in Lubang in Occidental Mindoro.

Phivolcs said no damage or aftershock was expected from the quake. - RSJ, GMANews.TV

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FOR MAYOR

1 ALFARO, PETER DE JESUS / NPC
2 VILLAROSA, VOLTAIRE A CALIMBAS / LKS-KAM

FOR VICE-MAYOR

1 TADEJA, DONALD DE LEMOS / LKS-KAM
2 TRIA, ANGELINA FRANCO / NPC

FOR COUNCILOR

1 ABELEDA, EMMANUEL SR. TARRIELA / LKS-KAM
2 ALASTRE, ALBERTO DE LUNA / LKS-KAM
3 ALMERO, CESAR BELALE / IND.
4 ALMERO, LEONARD MASANGKAY / IND.
5 AMORADO, JEFFERSON RAMIREZ / IND.
6 ATIENZA, DONATO BUELA / IND.
7 CAJAYON, EMMANUEL DILLERA / IND.
8 CALABIO, MA. DOLORES FLORES / NPC
9 CASCALLA, SILVERIO PADUA / LKS-KAM
10 CASTIGADOR, ARIEL DEL CASTILLO / NPC
11 COSUCO, MANUELINO RAMOS / NPC
12 DELA VIÑA, ARVIN LLOYD ESTRADA / IND.
13 GARILLO, GEOFFREY GUTIERREZ / IND.
14 GENOSA, FAUSTINO GATDULA / IND.
15 GUTIERREZ, GUILLERMO MENDOZA / IND.
16 HERMOSILLA, SOCRATES TAROMA / NPC
17 LIWANAG, ERNESTO DE LEON / NPC
18 MANEJA, EDUARDO JR SERVANDO / LKS-KAM
19 MASANGKAY, RAUL VILLAR / NPC
20 OLFATO, EMMANUEL ALTAMIRANO / LKS-KAM
21 RAMOS, ARISTOTLE GALENDEZ / NPC
22 RECAIDO, DULCE MULINGBAYAN / LKS-KAM
23 TAJONERA, LINDA REGUDO / LKS-KAM
24 TAMAYO, GERARDO SISON / NPC
25 VILLAR, ASUNCION CASTILLO / LKS-KAM


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MANILA, Philippines - Two mild earthquakes hit the country Friday and four more last Thursday, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) said.

The first earthquake occurred at 9:21 a.m. and registered at magnitude 4.5. The epicenter was estimated at 22 kilometers northeast of Tandag, Surigao del Sur.

It had a shallow depth of seven kilometers. The tremor was felt as Intensity II in Tandag and Tago Surigao del Sur; and General Luna in Surigao del Norte.

Another earthquake occurred just 28 minutes later at 9:49 am with the epicenter estimated at 36 kilometers northeast of Borongan, Eastern Samar. This quake measured at magnitude 3.9 with a depth of 30 kilometers.

On Thursday, a magnitude 4.0 quake hit 65 kilometers southwest of Maasin, Southern Leyte at around 5: 29 pm. It was felt as Intensity I in Camiguin Island.

A weaker earthquake with magnitude 2.1 also occurred around 27 kilometers southwest of San Fernando, La Union at 6:59 pm. The tremor had a shallow depth of 2.1 kilometers and was felt as Intensity II in Baguio City.

At 8:30 pm, still another quake with magnitude 4.5 occurred 116 northwest of Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro. It had a depth of 38 kilometers and was felt as Intensity I in Tondo, Manila and Intensity III in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro.

The last earthquake on Thursday was measured at magnitude 3.8 and occurred at 10:25 pm. Its epicenter was estimated at 40 kilometers northeast of Borongan, eastern Samar. It was felt as Intensity II in Tacloban City and Dolores, Eastern Samar; and Intensity III in Borongan, Llorente, and San Julian, Eastern Samar.

No damage was reported in all the quakes.

The Philippines lies in a region called the Pacific Ring of Fire which is seismologically and volcanically active.

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AFTER taking a Roro vessel from the Batangas pier, you reach Abra de Ilog, one of the entry points into Mamburao, capital of Mindoro Occidental.

Mindoro Occidental is the western part of the island province of Mindoro, south of Batangas.

The drive from the Abra de Ilog pier on the cement-paved Mindoro West Coast Road follows the ridge of high rolling mountains on one side and rice fields on the other, with intermittent glimpses of the Mindoro coast. It’s an arresting vista, but investors have yet to arrive.

Mamburao, though quite accessible, is relatively undiscovered. There are few tourist arrivals. Unlike rough and rowdy Puerto Galera, in neighboring Mindoro Oriental, Mamburao is laid-back. Almost as if it’s set in the ’60s, the sleepy town, like any community where farming and fishing are dominant, shuts down at dusk.

Occidental Mindoro is basically an agricultural province. Principal products are rice, coconut, peanut and abaca. The waters on its western coast comprise one of the most important fishing grounds in the country. But here, the sea and rice fields are still the fixed boundaries of a man’s life.

While its natural, economic and political shortcomings, lack of trademark produce, and other problems have all added to its provincial backwater reputation, Mamburao is also a land unspoiled by mass tourism, where mountains drop to blue coastal waters, and sandy beaches lined with swaying palm trees.

It’s a setting that could be the next place for eco-tourism without the messy and amateurish planning of other destinations. It even has a good airport (now used by a flying school and for chartered planes), which adds to its tourist potential.

Mamburao has a long coastline of unpopulated sandy beaches in rustic surroundings, similar to those of small towns in the outer Hawaiian Islands. The abundance of its possibilities can be seen in a day it takes to drive around the town and back.

The landscape changes from grassy hillsides to green rice paddies, mangroves and flat savannah. Numerous rivers and tributaries flow from the mountains of Occidental Mindoro down to Mamburao and the neighboring towns.

A cruise down the Mamburao river is everything a river cruise should be: slow, peaceful, with only the sounds of nature to accompany you down the riverbend and back.

A trek through uncharted rocky trails leads you to unspoiled pool springs and waterfalls and gives you a thrill of discovery.

The town proper hums with small-town activity in the day. The municipio, though in the middle of repairs, is a hive of town servants going about their workaday tasks.

The farmers are working the land, the children are in school, the fishermen’s catch are in beds of ice in the wet market, or on a roro bound for Manila, and the retailers sell their goods ferried in from Batangas and Manila. It’s economic activity all right, but it needs a boost.


Something is happening here. Change is coming – in a good way. A concerted public campaign to get everyone involved has begun.

Beyond the lure of using its physical beauty is a socio-culture development plan for a town that can finally stamp its identity on such products as vinegar, fish sauce and bagoong under the Mamburao brand.

Elma Tejada is in the mayor’s team as tourism officer, a Mambureño who came back after years of working abroad. She represents the new breed of movers who are not just waiting for development to happen, but are also taking charge of their future. She and a few others are slowly changing the face of Mamburao for the next generation.

The Mamburao Planning Evaluation Report made by an independent body of architects, planners and engineers, was a first step in this direction.

Mayor Anthony Villarosa says, “There must be a plan that will generate development to a higher stage and that will mean growth for Mamburao, so that its people will have higher incomes similar to their counterparts in developed towns and cities in the country. A strategy that will spread benefits to the people and bear fruits that will be sustainable over time. At the same time, I do not want a ‘Divisoria’ type of urban sprawl in Mamburao. Urban growth should be ordered and should happen as aesthetically as possible.”

It’s a call for all Mamburenyos to pitch in, so that it can find its place in the sun.


Formerly called Mait, Mindoro was known to Chinese traders even before the coming of the Spanish.

In 1570, the Spanish began to explore the island and named it “Mina de Oro” (mine of gold) after finding some of the precious metal, though no major gold discoveries were ever made.

In the early years, Mindoro was administered as part of Bonbon, now Batangas. Early in the 17th century, the island was separated from Bonbon and organized into a corregimiento. Mindoro became a regular province in 1921.

On June 13, 1950, it was divided into two provinces, Occidental Mindoro and Oriental Mindoro. The plains of Occidental Mindoro are inhabited by the Tagalogs and the remote forested interior by the Mangyans, who lead a semi-nomadic existence.

How to get there
1. From Manila by bus to Batangas pier (JAM, JAC and Tritran Terminals in Cubao or Buendia)
From Batangas pier to Abra de Ilog pier (two-hour roro vessel, Montenegro Shipping Lines)
Abra de Ilog pier to Mamburao (tricycle, jeepney)

2. From Manila by private car to Batangas pier (take SLEX and Star Tollway and exit at Balagtas, Batangas). Drive your car onto the ferry to Abra de Ilog pier.
Once in Abra de Ilog, head directly to Mamburao via the main national road (30 minutes).

3. Chartered plane lands in Mamburao airport (40 minutes’ flight from Manila to Mamburao)

For details and inquiries, call Elma Tejada, Mamburao Tourism Office, at t 091..., or e-mail elmatejada121@gmail.com

Mamburao is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Occidental Mindoro, Republic of the Philippines. It is the capital municipality of Occidental Mindoro. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 30,378 people in 6,259 households.

Mamburao belongs to REGION IV - B (also known as MIMAROPA) by virtue of being a member-municipality of the lone district of Occidental Mindoro. It comprises of 15 Barangays. Mamburao is classified as a 3rd Class, partially urban municipality under the administration of Ex - Mayor Alan T. Aquino.

Our municipality boasts of endless and beautiful shorelines which attracts most of our tourist. A great number of beaches and resorts are secluded in the best spots of our coastline to provide guests the best nature tripping experience our municipality has to offer. Townsfolks also exhibits our famous Filipino heritage of welcoming visitors and tourists. Mamburenyos are so delighted when they are having guest and tourists. Feel the pleasure of staying at Mamburao!

HISTORY

In the heart of the province of Occidental Mindoro, the municipality of Mamburao lies in the level area on the coastal shorelines of the South China Sea and extends far beyond into the interior at the foot mountain. The town is situated along the Mamburao Bay between Tubili point and Mamburao Reef and affords good anchorage. Mamburao River empties into the bay at Southward of Tayamaan and Westward of Balansay. The bay has a good anchorage from northerly and easterly wind, but it is exposed to southwest wind. The Mamburao Reef extends about 3 ¼ miles from Caraoisan point. The first settlement in Mindoro visited by the Spaniards was Mamburao, the Moro strong hold in the island then. On January 1, 1870, Legaspi dispatched his grandson Juan de Salcedo, with Panay forces in fifteen boats they sailed towards Mamburao and destroyed this Mohammedan town and demolished the pirate fort. Juan de Salcedo returned to Panay readily laden with spoils of war and covered with marital glory. On May 3, 1560, Juan de Salcedo and Martin de Goiti join another expedition to Mamburao.

In the early days of Christianity, the village of Mamburao belonged to the third convert district established in Cavite and Mamburao. After which, it became a “Colossal Empire” incorporating three towns and gave birth to the municipality. From the end of the Spanish era to 1902, Sablayan was a barrio of Mamburao. In 1905, Paluan and Abra de Ilog were annexed to Mamburaoas barrios under Republic Act no. 1280. Eventually, those places were created as separate municipalities. In 1949, Sta. Cruz, another barrio of Mamburao, was given an independent status as municipality.

Mamburao’s population at the turn of the century was very sparse due to Muslim invasions and piracy of seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Mamburao itself was made the base Muslim piratical raids of the coastal town of Mindoro, Luzon and Visayas. On the later part of the nineteenth century, migrants from Zambales occupied the locality. At the turn of the century, Tagalogs mostly from Lubang, Looc and Paluan and few from Batangas and Cavite, came to Mamburao.

In 1950, Mindoro province was divided into two, Occidental and Oriental. A year later, Mamburao was chosen the capital town of Occidental Mindoro. It begun to progress gradually in the field of agriculture which include fishing and grazing.

At present, Mamburao constituted of diverse culture, language and religious practice.